Kev Clark, Lionsraw Brasil National Director
It might be an understatement to say the World Cup is important to Brasil and Brasilians. But just how important, is important?
Last year I read the brilliant Futebol; A Brasilian Way of Life by Alex Bellos and felt like I had a gained so much in terms of how this country would be in the build up to the World Cup in June 2014.
I understand the roots of the game in Brasil The white aristocracy in Rio and Sao Paulo claimed it as their sport – a game to mark their status and standing among the city play boys and they were good, very good in fact.
Soon football was being played by servants, in slums and favelas with a new style, the style was Samba style. Suppressed and oppressed for so many generations by the most wealthy in the country, these ‘nobodies’ found a new place in society as they claimed the sport for the masses.
Anyone who was anyone played regardless of race, colour, religion or status (There were problems of course but you need to read the book for that) – today nothing has changed. Football is king, it crosses every social boundary you can think of and unites a country built on immigration in a beautiful way.
Football is important to Brasilians. So much so that they are so worried about a Spanish – or dare I say it an Argentinian – victory next year that they recently brought back their lucky coach – Phil Scolari. Yes, that Phil Scolari.
I can honestly say that in five months of living here in Brasil I haven’t spoken to anyone who believes Brasil are good enough to win the cup next year. Not one single person thinks they can triumph playing at home! A country with football so ingrained on its history and make up and I don’t know anyone who thinks they can win it.
I promise you one thing, they all hope. Every Brasilian man, woman and child will deep down be filled with a surging desire for a World Cup win – because deep down it is what has defined them for the last fifty years of their history, a country defined by football.
How important is football to Brasilians? We can’t imagine because it is who they are and I struggle to fathom that being from England!
On being appointed, Phil Scolari didn’t say that his team couldn’t win the World Cup, he didn’t say they could win the World Cup, he didn’t even say he would be happy with a place in the semis.
He said: “It is my obligation to win this World Cup for Brasil.”
And in a way I feel the same about what we, Lionsraw are trying to achieve here in Curitiba.
With one year to go, it is our obligation to deliver for the benefit of the communities and projects we have committed to.
I’m so excited about that I have goosebumps. Me, Phil, you – all obligated and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
with Passion and Belief
Kev Clark
Lionsraw
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